DELHI PUBLIC SCHOOL, RUBY PARK

ENGLISH SAMPLE PAPER - TERM I

CLASS 9 - 2021-2022

(I) Read the passage given below and answer eight out of the ten questions that follow.

Read the passage given below.

(1) Have you ever failed at something so miserably that the thought of attempting
to do it again was the last thing on your mind?

(2) If your answer is yes, then you should understand that you are not a robot.
Unlike robots, we human beings have feelings, emotions, and dreams. We are all
meant to grow despite our circumstances and limitations. Flourishing and trying
to make our dreams come true feels great when life goes our way. But what
happens when it does not? What happens when you fail despite all your hard
work? Do you stay down and accept defeat or do you get up again? If you tend to
persevere and keep going, you have what experts call ‘grit’.

(3) Falling down or failing is one of the most agonising, embarrassing, and scary
human experiences. But it is also one of the most educational, empowering, and
essential parts of living a successful and fulfilling life. Did you know that
perseverance (grit) is one of the seven qualities that has been described as the key
to personal success and betterment in society? The other six are curiosity,
gratitude, optimism, self-control, social intelligence, and zest. Thomas Edison is
an example of grit for trying more than 1,000 times to invent the light bulb. If you
are reading this with the lights on in your room, you will realise the importance
of his success. When asked why he kept going despite hundreds of failures, he
merely stated that they had not been failures, they were hundreds of attempts
towards creating the light bulb. This statement not only revealed his grit but also
his optimism for looking at the bright side.

(4) Grit can be learnt to help you become more successful. One of the techniques
that help is mindfulness. Mindfulness is a practice that makes an individual stay
at the moment by bringing awareness of his or her experience without judgement.
This practice has been used to quieten the noise of fears and doubts. Through this
simple practice of mindfulness, individuals have the ability to stop the self-
sabotaging downward spiral of hopelessness, despair, and frustration.

(5) What did you do to overcome the negative and self-sabotaging feelings of
failure? Reflect on what you did, and try to use those same powerful resources to
help you today.
On the basis of your understanding of the passage, answer any eight question out
of the ten questions that follow: 1 × 8 = 8

Q.1. The reason why you are not a robot is that:

(a) You fail miserably at tasks

(b) Failure and success can affect your emotions

(c) You work hard

(d) You have limitations

Q.2. Choose the option that best captures the central idea of the passage from the
given quotes.

(1) “What is the point of being alive if you don’t at least try to do something
remarkable?” - John Green

(2) “Mistakes are the portals of discovery.” - James Joyce

(3) “Failure should be our teacher, not our undertaker. Failure is delay, not defeat.
It is a temporary detour, not a dead end.” - Denis Waitley

(4) “A person who never made a mistake never tried anything new.” - Albert
Einstein

(a) Option (1)

(b) Option (2)

(c) Option (3)

(d) Option (4)

Q.3. What is the tone of the following context: “Falling down or failing is one of
the most… educational, empowering, and essential parts of living a successful
and fulfilling life.”?

(a) Humorous

(b) Optimistic

(c) Horrifying

(d) Solemn
Q.4. Which of the following is relevant for the title of the passage.

(a) Dreams Always Come True

(b) Failure and Grit Go Hand in Hand

(c) Humans vs Robots

(d) Falling Down and Getting Up

Q.5. ___________________was created after many attempts.

(a) electricity

(b) light bulb

(c) current

(d) tube light

Q.6. Which of the following sentences makes the correct use of “grit”, as used in
the passage?

(a) Get rid of that grit in your shoes.

(b) She had a bit of grit in her eye.

(c) The road had been covered with grit.

(d) Her grit never made her give up.

Q.7. To develop perseverance, one must:

(a) become more aware

(b) work hard
(c) be in the moment and be aware without judgement
(d) seek guidance
Q.8. How does mindfulness help?
(a) It creates awareness
(b) It quietens the noise of fears and doubts
(c) It helps one become successful
(d) It helps develop focus
 Q.9. What do you understand from this line, “Falling down or failing is one of
the most agonising, embarrassing, and scary human experiences.”?

(a) Falling down makes us angry.

(b) Failure can deeply affect our emotions

(c) Stay positive and be optimistic

(d) Self-control is empowering

Q.10. Choose the option that correctly states the meaning of ‘social intelligence’
as implied in the passage:

(a) Knowing others

(b) Knowing oneself and others

(c) Knowing oneself

(d) Knowing one’s surroundings

(II) Read the passage given below and answer six out of the eight questions that follow.
1. It is an indisputable fact that the world has gone too far with the innovation of new
technologies such as mobile phones, the Internet and so on, due to which people are able
to tour the cosmos virtually sitting at one place using their smart devices or other
technological gadgets. Though mobile internet access is often hurried and short, it can
still provide common internet features like alerts, weather data, emails, search engines,
instant messages, and games and music downloading.
2. Due to the easy access of smart phones, communication has been very effective and
instant. People are able to convey their message all around the globe to their loved ones
without spending hefty sums of money. Adults are always fond of such gadgets and they
always welcome and adopt such new technology readily. Further, young people have been
able to broaden their minds and improve their skills by doing research on the Internet. For
instance, they use smartphones to look up any new word they come across. As we know
that most of the universities have online teaching provision and smartphones assist the
students to complete their assignments on time.
3. The mobile phone has been a lifesaver for a lot of people in case of an emergency.
Likewise, the use of smartphones can be of vital importance in preventing crimes in
society by providing information to the security forces in time.
4. Nonetheless, for the young the use of mobile phones can be like an addiction and they
can misuse it. Young people are also prone to getting involved in undesirable activities
on the Internet. This might have an adverse effect on their academic performance.
Therefore, young people should always be monitored and made aware of its bad
outcomes.
5. Also a major contributor to its popularity is the availability of prepaid or pay as you go
services from a phone shop or an online store. This allows subscribers to load text or
airtime credits to their handsets by the use of their credit cards, debit cards or by buying
a prepaid card from the network they subscribe to. This plan can opt to subscribe using
the pay by month plan.

On the basis of your reading of the passage, answer of the following:

Q11 Mobile phones have a negative impact on the youth because_____

(a) they are very expensive, so expenses increase.
(b) of the monthly payment plan.
(c) of the adverse effect on their academic performance
(d) None of these

Q12 Why is communication very effective and instant?

(a) Due to the new technology.
(b) With the help of transport.
(c) Due to the easy access of smart phones.
(d) both (i) and (iii)

Q13 In para 1, the synonym of ‘innovation’ is _______________

(a) Production
(b) sincerity
(c) invention
(d) prevention

Q14 In para 4, the antonym of ‘favourable’ is ________________

(a) positive
(b) prone
(c) outcomes
(d) adverse

Q15 Grown-ups should not monitor the use of new technology by young people.
(a) True
(b) False
(c) Can’t say
(d) all of the above

Q16 Mobile internet can provide access to _______________

(a) emails
(b) music download
(c) weather data
(d) all of the above
Q17 Which of the following statements is not true
(a) Though the mobile phone can be an addiction for the young, they never misuse it.
(b) In times of emergency, the mobile phone acts as a life-saver.
(c) Mobile internet access is often hurried and short.
(d) Communication has been very effective due to easy access to smartphones.

Q18 Subscribers can load text or airtime credits to their handsets by ___________.
(a) The use of their credit cards.
(b) The use of their debit cards.
(c) By buying a prepaid card from the network they subscribe to.
(d) All the above.

Grammar and Writing

III Answer any 5 out of the 6 questions by choosing the correct options:

Q19 ———————-- of giving the money to my sister, I gave it to my cousins.

A. While
B. Rather than
C. Instead
D. Whereas

Q20 Unfortunately, I have ---- talent for music although I have always wanted to be a
famous singer. Fill in the blanks
A. None
B. Little
C. Plenty of
D. A little
Q21 “You can’t bathe in this sea,” he said to me, “it’s very rough.”
Choose the correct option of the Reported Speech.
A. He said that I can’t bathe in this sea because it’s very rough.
B. He said that I couldn’t bathe in that sea as it was very rough.
C. He said that you couldn’t bathe in the sea if it was very rough.
D. He said that you can’t bathe in this sea since it was very rough.

Q22 The tailor said to him, “Will you have the suit ready by tomorrow evening?”
Choose the correct option of the Reported Speech.
A. The tailor asked him that he will have the suit ready by the next evening.
B. The tailor asked him that he would had the suit ready by the next evening.
C. The tailor asked him if he would have the suit ready by the next evening.
D. The tailor asked him if he will like the suit ready by the next evening.
Q23 Neither John nor his wife _________ very tall.
A. am
B. are
C. is
D. have

Q24 The wildlife of ______ region is under threat and ______ rare animal species may
become extinct
A. all/a large amount of
B. each/others
C. every/either
D. the whole/some
WRITING
IV. Answer any 5 out of the 6 given below with reference to the context:
I got up in the middle of the night, I was sweating profusely. I switched on the
light only to find that there was some kind of electricity failure. I came out of the
room to get some fresh air. It was stormy outside and that might have been the
reason for the electricity failure. I drank cold water, took a chair and sat in the
verandah. Suddenly, I heard a loud shriek. It was coming from our neighbour’s
house. I was so confused, now what to do. Then I gathered courage and went
inside to fetch a torch. I took the torch and started moving towards my
neighbour’s house. I peeped inside from the window and saw two people who
were covering the owners at gunpoint. I stepped back and started thinking of my
next step. At that moment I heard a motorbike approaching. It was Cobra police
on patrol. I signalled to them. They stopped and asked me the reason for stopping
them. I told them the whole story. They immediately went inside to help the old
couple. The miscreants were shocked at the sudden arrival of the police. They
tried to escape but the policemen took prompt action and caught them. We heaved
a sigh of relief. Suddenly, the whole area was illuminated as the power supply
had resumed. The old couple saw me and thanked me for my sharp wittedness.
Q 25 While writing a short story it is mandatory to -
i. give a title
ii. give a moral
iii. use a few dialogues
iv. use quotations
A. both (i) and (ii)
B. Only (ii)
C. all the options
D. only i
Q26 What are the 4 essential Ps of storytelling?
A) Pen, patience, plot, pleasure
B) People, place, plot, purpose
C) Perseverance, place, punishment, public
D) Pressure, people, perfect, pace

Q27 Which of the following is NOT a suitable title for the above story?
A) A Midnight Adventure
B) Tables Turned
C) Family Time
D) A Friend in Need is a Friend Indeed
Q28 Which genre does the above story belong to?

A)Science fiction
B)Historical fiction
C)Adventure
D)Folklore
Q29 Which of the given options is not a part of the above story?
A)The narrator's resourcefulness was met with gratitude.
B)The miscreants were responsible for the blackout in the area.
C)The Cobra police assisted in the rescue of the old couple.
D)The culprits were taken aback at the sight of the police.
Q30 Which is the climax in the above story?
A)The narrator found out that there was an electricity failure.
B)The miscreants were caught by the patrol police
C) The narrator peeped into his neighbour's house to discover that two people had held
the elderly couple at gunpoint.
D) The power supply was resumed.
LITERATURE
V. Read the given extract and attempt the questions that follow:
Margie went into the schoolroom. It was right next to her bedroom and the mechanical
teacher was on and waiting for her. It was always on at the same time everyday……
Q31 Describe Margie's teacher.
A) A man who taught mechanically in class
B) Her mother, who was particular about regular classes for children
 C) A device which contained books saved in it, one looked at the screen to
study and submitted homework in a slot.
D) A robot which accepted the homework and taught the day's lesson.
Q32 What contrasted this school life with that of Margie's ancestors?
A) Human teacher taught children unlike the device that was her teacher.
B) Lessons did not have to be learnt.
C) School was in a different building where different children came.
D) Both A and B

Q33 'It was always on at the same time everyday….' indicates

A) Margie had a lot of work everyday

B)Daily school days and timings were fixed
C)Margie loved school everyday
D) There were no holidays for Margie

Q34 The writer of the chapter from where the above extract is taken is…….

A)Phoebe Cary
B) Issac Asimov
C) Katherine Mansfield
D) Robert Frost

Q35 What do you infer about Margie's school life ?

A) Exciting
B)Monotonous
C)Strict and challenging
D) Over burdening

VI. Read the extract below and answer the questions that follow:

My Lord, wait. I know now why I was walking up and down that street. I had given some
gold to the goldsmith to make some jewellery for me. He was a lazy scoundrel. He made
so many excuses, said he would give it now and he would give it then and so on all day.

Q36 Who is the speaker of the above lines?

A) The merchant
B)The merchant's father
C) The dancing girl
D) The thief

Q37 How would you describe the person addressed as 'Lord' in the above extract?

A) Just and wise

B)Compassionate
C)Indecisive and easily influenced
D) Treacherous

Q38 What was the result of the speaker's 'walking up and down the street'?

A) Was late for work

B)Was summoned by the King
C)Had distracted the bricklayer who was building the wall of the merchant's house
D) Had lost her anklets

Q39 Choose the word which is NOT a synonym of scoundrel.

A) good-for-nothing
B)reprobate
C)sagacious
D) rascal

Q40 What was done immediately after the above speaker's defence was given?

A) The culprit was put at the stake

B)The goldsmith was brought into the court by the bailiffs.
C)The merchant was summoned
D) The wise guru appeared

VII Read the given extract and answer the questions that follow:

In he hopped and laid the great ruby on the table beside the woman's thimble. Then he
flew gently around the bed ,fanning the boy's forehead with his wings. "How cool I feel!"
said the boy, "I must be getting better ," and he sank into a delicious slumber. Then the
swallow flew back to the Happy Prince and told him what he had done. "It is curious," he
remarked , "but I feel quite warm now, although it is so cold."

Q41 The woman mentioned above…..

 A) sold matches
B) was a seamstress
C) was a playwright
D) was one of the Town Councillors

Q42 Statement I The swallow left a precious ruby in the woman's house to help the poor
lady and her son.
Statement II The swallow felt comfortably warm even in the terrible cold.

A) Statement I is true but Statement II is false

B) Both statements are true and Statement II is the cause behind Statement I
C) Both statements are false
D) Both statements are true and Statement II is the result of Statement I

Q43 The boy was….

A) Starving
B) Ailing and couldn't be fed oranges by his poor mother
C) Was begging for oranges
D) Shivering in the cold garret

Q44 The swallow can be described as a creature who….

A) Was concerned about his friends in Egypt

B) Was an inspiration and support for the Prince
C) Turned out to be exemplary in his great sacrifice
D) Both B and C

Q45 'It is curious'….Which option holds the similar meaning as the above line?

A) I began to be curious about the whereabouts of the little bird

B) Babies are curious about everything around them.
C) A curious sensation overwhelmed her.
D) Tell me,I'm curious to know….what was the fight all about?

VIII. Read the given extract to attempt the questions that follow:
Where they harness the swift reindeer
To the sledges, when it snows;
And the children look like bear’s cubs
In their funny, furry clothes.
Q46. Who is the poet of the poem from which the given lines are taken?
(a) William Wordsworth (b) Phoebe Cary
(b) Robert Burns (d) Kamala Das

Q47. Who does ‘they’ refer to?

(a) People of the Northland (b) Reindeers
(c) Children (d) Wild polar animals

Q48. What does the given lines tell us about the season?
(a) Summer (b) Spring
(c) Autumn (d) Winter

Q49. Children look like bear cubs because of

(a) their large size (b) their funny looks
(c) their funny and furry clothes (d) All of these

Q50. Which figure of speech is used in the given lines?

(a) Alliteration (b) Simile
(c) Metaphor (d) Oxymoron

IX. Answer the following questions:

Q51 Why did the child lose interest in the things that he had wanted earlier?

A)His parents were refusing to buy them

B)He was separated from his parents and felt petrified and lonely
C) His father looked at him red-eyed, in his familiar tyrant's way
D)He did not want anything from a stranger.

Q52 Identify the figure of speech used in the sentence:

It was a flowering mustard-field, pale like melting gold as it swept across miles and
miles of even land.:
A. irony
B. simile
C. metaphor
D. personification

Q53 Why did the poet stand for a 'Long' time in the woods in the poem "The Road
Not Taken"?
 A. He was in dilemma
B. He was enjoying nature
C. He was observing the forest
D. He was waiting for a friend
A. poet was in relaxed mood
B. poet was enjoying nature
C. poet's dilemma
D. poet's

Q54 The destructive power of the wind is a symbol of _______

A. adversities
B. challenges
C. problems
D. all of these
Q55 Why did the sparrow look for a chimney pot?
A. food would be readily available
B. to protect itself from rain
C. the heat was troubling it
D. the statue did not provide the comfort he had imagined
Q56 Why did Einstein decide to continue his study in Switzerland?
A. It was a good city
B. It was more liberal than Munich
C. It was near to his home
D. All
Q57 What did the Happy Prince say was more marvellous than anything?
A. The beautiful decorative items in his palace
B. the suffering of men and women
C. the warm city of Egypt
D. the sapphires in his eyes
Q58 The lesson, ‘The Happy Prince’ reinstates the belief that___________.
Choose the most appropriate option.
A.Happiness lies in giving away whatever we have.
B.Life after death is not a completely imaginary concept.
C.A happy prince is one who believes in ‘sharing and caring'.
D.God rewards us according to our deeds and this is what makes the theory of
Karma so important.
Q59 ‘When the humid shadows hover
Over all the starry spheres
And the melancholy darkness
 Gently weeps in rainy tears,...’
What does ‘humid shadows hover’ mean
A. Dark clouds covering the night sky
B. Shadows are lurking
C. Humid Atmosphere
D. Darkness that seems to engulf everything.

Q60 Why did Mileva Maric come to the University at Zurich?

A. it was the only university which gave degrees to women.
B. she liked the university.
C. it was a good university.
D. it was near her house.